Braking mechanism



Jan, 19, l1943. J. vy. HATCH f 2,3`os,sns4h BRAKING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1940v [lfm I :I

I INV-ENTOR Jwedw ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 19, 1943 sv AParr-:iur

OFFICE nRAnmG MEcnAnrsM James W. Hatch, Akron, Ohio, assigner to -The Fireston'e Tire. & Itubber Company," Akron,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March zo, '1940, serial No. 324,983 ,a claims. L(ci. iss-152) This invention relates to braking-mechanismsA generally,.more especially to braking mechanism for vehicle wheels, particularly wheels usedon airplanes.

The present invention comprises an improve# blocks are positively positioned against circum ferential movement, but which are adapted to have limited radial movement to aid ineilecting braking action.

A further object of the invention is to provide readily positionable, easily accessible means for retaining the individual brake blocks in a multiple' block brake out of braking relation with the means associated therewith. l

The above and further objects will be manifest from the following specification. l

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on line I---IY oi' the embodiment of the invention shown in 'Figure 2:

Figure 2 is an elevation, pafrtly in section,l of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of

a fragment of a brake mechanism comprising` a modification of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional elevation on line [-4 of Figure 3. l l

Referring speciflcallytothe apparatus shown in Figure 1, an axle I0 is shown Aon which an annular wheel II, having an annular cylindrical braking drum I I'I secured to its inner surface; is rotatably carried through suitable bearingmeans I2. A disk I3 is welded to the axle I0 and a brake torque plate I4 having a hub I5 at its center and an integral, outwardly open, annular, substantially u shaped (in section). flange or channel I6 at its outer periphery is secured to the disk |3'by bolts |65. As explained in detail in my copending joint application, the

The braking means for the wheel construction of the invention are mounted in the channel I6, .whichhas side walls I1 and I8. These means comprise individual brake blocks 2|, slightly arcuate'in section, which have holes 22 extending through the center portion thereof in an axial" direction relative to the axle |0. Metal pins 23 extend throughthese holes 22 and are received in pairs of circumferentially spaced, radially directed slots 24 formed in the side wal1s|11 and vI8 of the.channell|6. These slots 2li are axially opposed and are of such size as to receive the ins-23 snugly and prevent any circumferential movement thereof. `Note that the slots'24 are E 1open at the periphery of the channel I6 wherebi 'the pins 23 mounting thebrake blocks 2| are readily positioned in the slots and are thereby mounted for limited radial movement. In this embodiment of my invention an annular rubber tube 25 is provided in the base of the channel I6, whichtube is connected to a suitable source (not shown). of air or liquid, under pressure, by a 'valve-26 whereby the tube 25 can be expanded radially outwardly from the base of the channel. I6, which in tur moves the brake blocks 2| radially outwardl To forman expandable surface for the tube 25 to bear upon, a plurality of tube protecting strips 21 are positioned between the bases of `the brake blocks 2| and the outer surface of. the tube 25. These tube protector strips 21 are slightly arcuate in section and have the endsl 21B thereof Jbent outwardly at an angle of about 90 relative to the remainder thereof with one end of '.the brake blocks 2|. vmaining ends of the tube protector strips are which adaptsthe' tube protector strips to engage The redepressed slightly in a-radial direction and are conning ring for the rubber tube 25 to bear upon in transmitting pressure to the brake blocks.

A feature of the 'present invention is the prof .vision of substantially U-shaped return springs 3| that engage with the ends ofthe pins 23 and i normally urge the individual brake blocks radially inwardly relative to the brake torque plate I4 so as to retain them out of contact with the inner braking surface I Ia of the wheel I These -U-shaped springs 3| extend through slots 32 -l formed n the brake torque plate I4 and the apparatus is constructed and arranged so that the springs 3| normally are under slight tension whereby the individual brake blocks are con- 1 stantly urged radially inwardly ofthe wheel Il. Normally this force retains the brake blocks out of contact with the surface Il of the wheel but immediately adiacent same.

Y braking mechanism, the individual braking blocks ofl which are readily removable, is provided by 30 are outside of the brake mechanism proper whereby they are readily accessible and are not aiected by the heat produced in action of the braking mechanism, nor are they subject to the dirt accumulation occurring in the brake. Also, the pins 23 mounting the brake blocks are easily accessible to aid in changing brake blocks. The present construction simplifies positioning the brake blocks against circumferential movement during braking action or at any other time. It will be observed that the brake parts are interchangeable and are 'easily made, whereas, of course, one brake block may be removed individually from the brakewithout changing the posi- L tion of any second brake block.

In the'modied form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, the general-construction of 'the brake and wheel are similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. A feature of the present brake construction includes the use of short springs 4| which engage with the ends of the pins 23 extending beyond the side walls of the channel IBB. The other ends of the springsll engage with outwardly struck lugs 42 associated with the base of the channel |68. These springs are easily positioned and of simple construction, but they very effectively serve to retain the brake biooks normally in their radio1 inward positions relative to the confining wheel or brake drum associated therewith.

the present invention. Specically the springs l While a written description and illustration of two embbdiments of `the invention are disclosed herein, it will be understood that further modiilcations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a wheel and brake assembly, the combination with an axle and a chambered wheel hub rotatable thereon, said hub having an annular brake drum within the chamber'thereof, of a radially extending member fixed to the axle and disposed within the hub chamber, said member having an annular margin provided with an outwardly open chamber, a plurality of brake shoes disposed in circumferential series within the chamber, a pneumatlcally inatable element disposed within the chamber between the brake shoes and the inner chamber wall, and a tube protector strip disposed between each shoe and said element, said strips having one end outwardly flanged to engage a shoe end and an opposite end extending circumferentially beyond Vthe and disengaging means comprises a bar extending through each shoe at a point substantially mid-way between the ends thereof. and spaced from the drum contacting surface, the walls of said member being slotted to permit radial movement of the bar, each end of each bar being engaged by a spring having 'its opposite end anchored to said member, whereby each shoe is normally urged radially inwardly.

JAMES W. HATCH. 

